iPad Pro M4 and Mac: Combined use for video editing/business

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Level 1

4 points

iPad Pro M4 and Mac: Combined use for video editing/business

I got an iPad Pro m4 last year. I use it for video editing working on YouTube, if I get a MacBook Air, Mac mini, or iMac what can I do with both together? I profur ipads but once my YouTube channel grows I would like to build a website and a small business for myself. What can Macs and iPad Pro m4 do together? Which one should I look at since I want my ipad my main device? I would like a Mac M3 or M4

MacBook Air (M3, 2024)

Posted on Jan 24, 2026 1:24 PM

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Answer 1

xWauwau

Level 3

686 points

Jan 24, 2026 1:42 PM in response to Rcd_8226

If you could clarify what you would expect them to do 'together', then I'd be somewhat grateful… from my perspective, Macs and iPads are mostly separate devices for separate use cases.

When getting a Mac mini, you should consider that you are going to require some kind of external display which you might need to purchase.

Generally, I would recommend any macOS-device for

tasks that require bypassing the boundaries of iPadOS (a lot of desktop applications, starting with 'real' Microsoft Word, utilities like terminal, disk utility, …)
the improved performance you can currently still can only get from a desktop computer (especially Mac mini)
if you plan to use some Apple software, you can (as far as I know) use Final Cut Pro exclusively subscription-based, on iPadOS

When using both devices for the same task… well, you'll be syncing via cloud storage probably… still, I personally do not feel like starting to edit a photo in Lightroom on Mac and finishing on iPad. It's just not it; also, I think, it does not even work really. Same with DaVinci Resolve, which has absolutely great functionality on iPad, yet is still not comparable to the proper desktop version.

TL;DR from quick consideration, my perspective would be, the are not really supplementary, and more two devices.

I'd recommend a Mac for the performance and the software choices you get.

But maybe you can get another take.

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Answer 2

Rcd_8226 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 24, 2026 2:08 PM in response to xWauwau

Well, I like all the new features with iOS 26. Like I said I use my iPad to edit work on my YouTube channel once I get more subscribers on my channel I want to make a Squarespace website. For my YouTube channel and play Total War Warhammer all three. For mac mini, I had one from 2016 I have a monitor. I bought my iPad Pro because it was out of date. All the software was up to date. I just want to know how any Mac can work with the iPad Pro. I used movies but I'm now learning Final Cut Pro.

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